The Academy’s Ankle Reaper – Chapter 289

[Your rank has increased. Congratulations.]

‘I don’t know if this is still possible.’

[Since you remember, you can do it.]

Right after escaping outside, I could once again sense the presence of my companion, which I hadn’t felt inside.

It had been the same before.

Even when I was trapped in a disconnected world, this time, in an independent realm, I couldn’t feel my companion’s presence.

At first, I thought my companion was another persona I created due to my suffering, but the more time passed, the less I believed that.

It felt like a completely different soul inhabited within me.

It wasn’t a malevolent spirit.

If it were of that kind, it would have been annihilated by the holy power when I frequently passed through the church country.

If it wasn’t a malevolent spirit, could it be a guardian spirit?

However, in the face of holy power, there might not be a distinction, as both types would be turned into holy beings.

Thinking alone wouldn’t yield any answers.

I simply decided to continue as usual, together.

[The red hue mingling with your aura is a good sign. The essence of exorcism is beginning to blend in.]

‘Do you know what this is?’

[Yes. That light appears because you truly wish to kill the demon.]

My companion spoke as though they understood by looking at Amy’s Aura Blade.

Yet, she had never seen this form of Aura Blade before.

[You’ve taken one step closer on your path to becoming a master.]

Even though my companion said that, Amy couldn’t feel it at all.

A master?

Could she ever become equal to Atlas?

Reflecting on his usual displays of skill, she felt no inclination that she could reach that level anytime soon.

If she brought this up, Atlas would probably retort asking what she couldn’t do.

———————–

The incident had ended, but we were still staying in Parker.

We hadn’t originally come here to solve anything; we were just on a trip.

While everyone else was themselves, today I was not.

Even so, too much had happened during this short break.

Reports needed to be made to both the Empire and the Church Country.

The first to arrive was from the Church Country.

There were matters concerning demons and heretics as well as issues regarding Gemma.

It was necessary to inform Saint McKinto of the current situation.

[… It seems like an incident occurs daily at your side.]

“Well, at least I resolved everything, so that must be good, right?”

[Yes, I acknowledge your abilities.]

McKinto still maintained a somewhat dissatisfied demeanor towards me.

After a snort, the cool underground filled with a warm heat.

Yet, despite his words, McKinto had never refused my demands as I always brought results.

[This is a very, very serious matter. As you wanted, the extermination of the Demon Church is being efficiently carried out. Three locations have already been dealt with, but… none of us knew that such a secret tunnel existed right at the doorstep of the imperial capital. We could be dealing with unseen secret bases beyond the visible hideouts. We need to explore the important facilities underground in cooperation with the Magic Tower.]

“The scale wasn’t small, was it?”

Saint Carmel, sitting in front of McKinto, spoke up.

“The two incidents before were all entangled with Satan. It seems he is preparing something independently.”

[To attempt to animate the corpse of a dragon using magic… such a disgusting act. I will make him pay for his sins.]

McKinto expressed strong anger upon hearing that our kin’s corpse had been toyed with by demons.

“Historical records indicate that there have been demons animated by the Black Heart during ancient wars. It was said that it involved the techniques of a necromancer to breathe life into deceased corpses, but that was the extent of the records, and after that, there is nothing indicated.”

“The necromancers would be horrified to hear that.”

They despise demons the most, so it must have been extremely displeasing for them to have their techniques stolen.

“It was also recorded that the demons with Black Hearts possessed strength comparable to that of a Demon Bishop. If Satan can produce these at will… even if we kill the Demon Bishops, stronger foes will keep appearing.”

“Then we can just kill as many as appear.”

“Heh, I always enjoy seeing your overflowing confidence.”

Suddenly, Carmel stood up, hugged me, and patted my head.

[Saint, we are in a meeting. Please hold back.]

“Yes, yes, sorry about that.”

Even after being scolded by McKinto, she simply smiled and sat back down.

“By the way, I’m currently keeping the daughter of the Dragon Lord with me. What should we do about her? I was thinking of sending her back soon.”

Upon hearing about Gemma, McKinto seemed troubled and lowered his head.

[Hmm… it’s hard to predict what that person is thinking. I saw them just before, but we had no idea there was an incident about running away. If we had known, everyone would have been out searching for her.]

“So does that mean the Lord is turning a blind eye to Gemma’s running away?”

[That’s a different story… It seems they want to handle it quietly… I’m not entirely sure about this either. It’s a personal matter for the Lord, after all.]

McKinto tapped the floor with his fingers, deep in thought.

[For now, I hope you’ll continue to protect her like you have been; I’ll speak to the Lord separately.]

.

.

.

After discussing demons with the Church Country, we headed towards the capital.

“So did you decide to reveal your status as a senior member along the way?”

“Yes.”

The Commander, having heard the basic circumstances, looked at me in disbelief.

It seemed absurd that the one who had caused quite the uproar near the capital just a few days ago was now involving himself in this.

“You hated external activities or letting your family name be known from the beginning of your formal induction, and yet here you are, having to do it.”

“I apologize for the inconvenience.”

Since my induction into the Royal Knight Order, I had thought about this.

While I didn’t hide my surname, I wasn’t eager to let it be known either.

I didn’t want attention drawn to me.

“There’s no need to apologize for that. While you didn’t promote yourself, you’ve certainly been out and about more than other members.”

Reaching the rank of a senior member involves more responsibilities, but it also means showing your face here and there.

But upon becoming a formal member, I ended up stuck at my mentor’s side, traversing the Empire and undertaking tough missions to hone my skills.

“Still, it seems there hasn’t been any notable news in the capital considering what you disclosed… the Blade Mountain is certainly quite closed off. If something similar had happened in the south, it would have been common knowledge by now.”

“The residents don’t feel the need to disclose their issues to the outside.”

“Everyone’s as gloomy as Carlos.”

The Commander, seeming displeased, set down the documents and suddenly stood up.

“I think I’m going to call it a day. Come with me.”

“I won’t be going to a tavern.”

“Tavern? No way, I’ve saved a fine bottle of alcohol at home knowing this would happen. It’s nice to sip on while chatting quietly.”

“In the end, we are still just going to drink.”

“Are you saying you dislike drinking with me?”

The Commander’s tone changed, sounding a bit resentful.

Thinking back on past events, I wasn’t particularly keen on the idea, but it felt odd to refuse given the invitation.

“… Then I’ll only drink that one bottle.”

Ultimately, I left the barracks alongside the Commander.

Outside the barracks, the sun was already setting.

While I expected it to take a while, I didn’t anticipate it would stretch out this long.

I figured I’d just have a moderate drink and listen to some complaints before heading out.

“Yikes!”

As soon as I stepped out of the barracks, a letter suddenly dropped onto my head.

I didn’t need to be told who delivered it.

The highest-class postal service exists to deliver letters to anyone in this world, regardless of who they are.

Yet, it seemed the delivery person didn’t have the guts to enter inside, considering the letter was handed over immediately upon my exit.

“If this is a letter commissioned by the Guild, it must be pretty important… Who is it from?”

The Commander, seemingly intrigued by the sudden appearance of the letter, looped his arm around my neck and took a peek at the letter.

The seal stamped on it was from Prigia.

“Prigia?”

“It seems to be an invitation.”

It must be the invitation to the party that Shaara mentioned before.

There wasn’t anything grand about it, so I decided to open it right there.

Inside the luxurious golden-embossed envelope was the invitation to the party.

It included various details such as the location, date, and dress code, but the aspect that caught my eye the most was one specific line.

‘No companions allowed?’

It seems the host, being the Golden Ball rather than Shaara, had gotten pretty stringent with the rules.

“Oh…? I can’t believe you’re the one receiving an invitation from Prigia, something I’ve never received before.”

While the Commander’s words seemed calm, I felt a hint of anger seeping through.

“There was a Prigia among the classmates at the Academy. You saw her when we were in the capital, remember?”

“Just a classmate… Do you know how valuable that invitation you hold is?”

“I suppose an invitation from a party hosted directly by the Golden Ball would hold great value.”

“Exactly. Whether they’re a businessman or just someone ruling over a territory, anyone would be willing to pay anything to catch the Golden Ball’s eye. That invitation is your golden ticket to meet those closest to the Golden Ball. I heard that Baron Hyman sold all his assets just to obtain that invitation.”

“So did that person end up well?”

“That’s not my concern.”

The Commander stared intensely at the invitation.

“Hmm… I see. It seems I’ve never been sent one myself…”

To think the Master of the Empire has never received even one, made the presence of the invitation I held feel quite burdensome.

Or maybe not?

If the party isn’t just for gathering illustrious people, but rather one for Prigia to gather those who might flatter her, then perhaps there may not be many remarkable individuals present.

Just as I was considering that, the Commander poked my chest insistently and spoke again.

“That invitation you hold holds a value so great that one might go to great lengths to obtain it. I’ll ask you again; is your relationship with the daughter of Prigia truly just one of mere classmates?”

“I… think so, but whether SHE thinks that is none of my business.”

“Alright, that’s quite a satisfactory response.”

Seeing I answered as such seemed to please the Commander.

“Let’s hurry back.”

It wasn’t until we reached the Commander’s home that I realized what he meant by a fine bottle of alcohol was actually a massive barrel.